Laundry machine



s E ,N W O D i .E

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed oct. e, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l /NVEN rok T0/ward d.90W/765 C DL TTORNY May 2, 1944.l E. J. nowNEs LAUNDRY Mmmm:

Filed oct; 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Arron/vas Patented May 2, 1944Unirse stares'l 'PATENT omes- LAUNDRY MACHINE l Edward J. Downes,Albany, N. y.

Application october c, 1941, serial No. 413,723

1'1 Claims.

My invention particularly relates to laundry drying machines and similarmachines for laun d ry purposes which comprise a foraminous cylinderrotatably mounted within a casing, the cylinder being adapted'to receivearticles of a customers wash which are therein agitated as the cylinderis rotated.

In these machines, the cylinder or drum is provided with an openingthrough which articles are passed into or taken from the drum and, ofcourse, the casing is,l provided with an opening and a door thereforarranged to register with the opening in the drum.` The drum is providedinteriorly thereof with a plurality of pairs of diametrically opposedbailles extending longitudinally of the drum and radially inwardly fromthe walls thereof. 'I'hese bales serve, as the drum is rotated throughsome suitable driving mechanism, to agitate the articles placedtherein,. turning them over and over or tumbling them. f

Since each customers wash is processed separately in the cylinder ordrum and since washes vary considerably in size, it is of advantage toprovide a removable partition element which may be inserted in acylinder of the above character to subdivide the interior thereof intotwo compartments whereby two, comparatively small washes could besimultaneously processed.

Broadly speaking, therefore, it is an object of this invention toprovide a novel partition element for a machine of the character abovepointed out which is provided with means for .promoting a highly exposedand distributed condition of the articles inthe two compartments of thecylinder formed thereby as the cylinder is rotated.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a partition elementparticularly designed for use with laundry machines having open-endedcylinders therein, said partition element being adapted to be positionedin cylinder-subdividing relation therein and being provided with meansfor preventing articles from sliding over the end edge thereofv whichlies adjacent the open end of the cylinder.

.A still further object of my invention resides in providing a cylinderfor laundry machines of the above described character which is providedwith baille means so constructed and arranged relative to a partitionelement within said cylinder as to promote a highly exposed anddistributed condition of the articles in the compartments formed by thepartition as the cylinder is rotated.

With these and other objects in view, my invention includes the novelelements and the correlation and arrangements thereof ,described belowand illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichy Fig. 1 is anelevation view of one form of laundry drying machine embodying` myinvention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof taken in about the plane 2-2 of Fig.l;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view cylinder of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the partition element of my'invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view thereof taken in about the plane 5-5 of Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the partition element;

- Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, enlarged sectional view taken in about theplane 1-7 of Fig. 6 and through one end of the partition and the baffleelement secured thereto; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, transverse' sectional view of the cylindershowing the partition ele ment operatively mounted therein.

In the embodiment of my invention herein illustrated, I have shown alaundry drying machine of the type which is loaded through the end ofthe casing and cylinder therein, and it will be understood that thedisclosure herein presented is illustrative of the elements and thecombinations and correlation of the elements of my inventioninassociation with laundry machines of the general character hereinabovepointed out to which my invention relates.

Referring to the drawings and iirst to Figs. 1

' to 3, inclusive, 'I indicates generally a laundry drier comprising acasing 2 having a foraminous cylinder or drum I rotatably mountedtherein. As shown in Fig. 2, one end plate ,l of the cylinder isprovided with an opening 5 therein which registers with an opening C inthe casing 2. 'I'he articles of a customers laundry are deposited withinand taken from the cylinder 3 through the openings 6 and 5 of the casingand cylinder, re# spectively, and a closure for the opening 6 or a ldoor1 is mounted on the casing, a suitable latch serving to hold the door inclosed position. The other end plate 8 of the cylinder is secured to asupporting and drive shaft 9 journaled in bear' or the in the base ofthe machine, the air being drawn from the interior of the casing andcylinder through an opening I3 in the bottom of the casing anddischarged through a pipe I4. The suction device is operated by anelectric motor I 5 which also serves to rotate the cylinder 3 throughthe medium of a suitable speed-reducing mechanism and sprockets I6 andI1 and chain I8.

The cylinder 3 is provided interiorly thereof with a plurality of pairsof diametrically opposed bailles which extend longitudinally of thecylinder and radially inwardly from the sides. In the embodiment hereinillustrated, one pair of baflles indicated at I9 are of such radiallength that the inner ends thereof project inwardly beyondthe edges ofthe openings 5 and 6 in the cylinder and casing, respectively. Theprimary purpose of this arrangement, so far as the present invention isconcerned, is to enable a partition element of the character hereinafterldescribed to be slid over the ends of said baflles and supported thereyon in cylinder-subdividing position. A second pair of such baiiies, asindicated at 20 and preferably in quadrature with the baies I9, arepreferably of lesser radial extent than the baiiles I9 and extendinwardly from the siies of the cylinder but short of and in spacedrelation to the edge of the opening 5 in the cylinder.

In accordance withlmy invention, the cylinder 3 is provided with a thirdpair of diametrically opposed baiiles indicated at 2l. 'I'hese baiiiesare preferably disposedadjacent but in circumferentially spaced relationto the baiiies I9, as shown, and closer thereto than to the baffles 20.Furthermore, the bailles 2l precede the bailles I8 which they lieadjacent. to as the cylinder is rotated. The assumed direction ofrotation of cylinder 3 is indicatedvby the arrow in Fig. 3. In otherwords, if the cylinder is to be ,rotated in a clockwise direction in theoperation of the machine, the bailles 2| are relatively closely spacedfrom the baiiies I9, which are adapted to support the partition element,in a clockwise direction.

Furthermore, bafdes 2l are preferably of lesser radial extent thaneither of the other pairs of baiiies. lFor example, in a cylinder of adiameter of approximately 36", bailles 20 ordinarily have a radiallength of about 4" and I nd that excellent results are produced incylinders of this size when the bafiles 2l are about 2 in radial lengthand when spaced approximately 7" from the adjacent baiile I9. I Y

The bailles 2i when disposed as above set forth serve to promote ahighly exposed and distributed condition of the articles as they passfrom the sides of the cylinder to the partition element as the cylinderis rotated.v In doing this, they prevent the articles especially smallarticles such as face cloths and the like vfrom rolling up. When rollingand entwining of the articles occurs as compared to a thorough agitationand tumbling of the articles inwhat may be termed a distributed andopened-up or exposed condition, as the cylinder rotates, the articlestake longer to dry and, .when dried, are not soft and fluffy as desired.On the other hand, when the bailies 2l are employed, even the smallerarticles are malntained substantially continuously in a highly exposedand well distributed condition as the cylinder rotates. Y

In the absence of these baiiies, the articles, especially the smallerones, have a tendency to slide on the side of. the cylinder to thecylindersubdividing partition and then across the partition to theopposite side of the cylinder. However, bailies 2l prevent thisoccurrence, promoting more rapid drying and a much softer and decidedlyuffy condition of the articles.

A preferred form of partition element is shown in Figs. 4 through 8 andin its preferred form, as illustrated, is arranged for use in a machineof the character shown in Figs. 1 and 2 having an The partitionindicated open-ended cylinder. generally at 22 is comparatively rigid sothat it may be operatively supported on the baiiies I3 of the cylinder.In the embodiment shown, the partition comprises a foraminous,plate-like element 23 provided adjacent opp'osite sides thereof withstrips 2t and v'i5 which cooperatively form a channel of suilicientextent to receive the ends of baiiles I9 therein and operatively tosupport the partition element thereon in cylinder-subdividing position.Adjacent one end thereof, I provide the partition with a baille elementindicated generally at 26 which is adapted to prevent articles frompassing o'ver the end edge thereof adjacent the opening in the cylinder,as the cylinder is rotated, and falling into the lower compartmentcausing confusion of vthe articles of one wash with those of another.

The baille element 26 is preferably arranged in upstanding relationtothe element 23 and extends outwardly on both sides thereof. The baille2B in the embodiment shown is provided along its top and bottom freeedges, or the edges thereof extending crosswise of the element 2l, witha strip 30 of suitable material, ,such as felt, for example, which mayproject for about 1/2" beyond the edges of the vplate-like elements ofthe baille proper'. I prefer to provide the baille 2B with edge 'stripsof this character so as to prevent the arm of an operator from beingburned if in reaching into the compartments of the cylinder his armshould engage the baille. The baille 28 may be formed as :.nown indetail in Fig. 7. To the end edge of element 2l is secured a pair ofup-standing plates 21 and 23, one on each side of the plate 23. A plate20 is secured to the plates 21 and 28 preferably adjacent the free edgesthereof as shown in order that the rivets or similar securing meansemployed for this purposemay also serve to fasten in place theoverfolded ends of the strips ll disposed therebetween. 'I'hese strips,as above indicated, may be of felt or like suitable material which willprevent burning of an' operators arms.

When the partition element 22 is operatively positioned within thecylinder with the end thereof remote from baille element 28substantially in engagement with the end wall 8 of the cylinder, thebaille element 28 is designed tn lie adjacent the opening 5 in the endof the cylinder whereby to rotate as the cylinder isrotated in closelyspaced relation to the door of the casing when closed.

Further in accordance with my invention, -I

prefer to provide the partition element with .baffles extendinglongitudinally thereof and of the cylinderv when arranged therein asindicated at 3l. These baiiies are disposed one on one side of thepartition element and the other on the. other side and any suitablemeans may be employed to secure them to the element. Furthermore, thebaffles 3i are preferably disposed' adjacent opposite side edges of thepartition. For example, assuming the partition is operatively positionedwithin the cylinder and the cylinder is designed to rotate in aclockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 8 and if thepartition is considered as lying in a more or less horizontal plane, thebaille 3| on the upper side of` the partition element will lie 5adjacent the right hand side edge of the partition while the otherbaille 3|, on the opposite or underside of the partition, will lieadjacent. the left hand side edge of the partition. Therefore, as thecylinder rotates in a clockwise direction, the articles will bedeposited from the walls of the cylinder upon the partition from whencethey will in turn be deposited upon the walls of the cylinder again.

In the absence of vbafllles 3|, the articles may slide oil the partitionto thev cylinder walls causing bunching and rolling thereof. However,thebaiiles 3| prevent this and promote a more highly exposed and morecontinuously agitated condition of the articles as the cylinder rotates.In a cylinder about 36" in diameter, the partition element'hereindisclosed will have an overall width of about 22" and I find that if thebales 3| are about 21/2 high and spaced about 5" from the 'side edges ofthe partition that extremely good results. are produced.

It will be observed that when the cylinder is subdivided by a partitionelement and the bailles 2| are provided on the interior of the cylinderin slightly circumferentially spaced relation to the partition and thepartition is provided with baiiles as illustrated that the articles inboth of the compartments so provided will be substantially continuouslyagitated andv thereby maintained in a highly exposed condition where- 35by not only may the laundering operation be carried out in a shorterperiod of time but the results will be more satisfactory.

Furthermore the baille 2liV prevents the articles While undergoing suchtreatment from sliding l over thegend edge of the partition element andmixing with those of another customers wash. However ample room forquickly loading and for reaching into the compartments of the cylinderfor unloading purposes is provided.

While I have described my invention in its preferred embodiments, it isto be, understood that the words which I have used are words ofdescription rather than of limitation. Hence, changes within the purviewof the appended claims may be made without departing from the true`scope and .spirit of vmy inventionL in its broader aspects.

What I claim is:

l. In a machine of the character described, the combination with acylinder open at one end and closed at the other and having radiallyarranged bailles extending inwardly from the sides thereof, of aforaminous partition element disposed aidally of and within saidcylinder and extending from adjacent the closed end 0i said cylindersubstantially to the oppositeopen end thereof to divide the cylinderinto two, separate compartments for containing. articles during theoperation of said machine, and means disposed ad jacent the open end ofsaid cylinder for preventing articles supported on said partitionelement from sliding over the end edge thereof.

2. Ina machine oi' the character described, the combination with acylinder open at one end and closed at the other and having radiallyarranged baiiies extending axially of said cylinder and inwardly fromthe sides thereof i'n diametrically opposed relation, of a` removableforaminous partition'element dividing the interior of said 7l cylinderinto two, separate compartmentsfor containing articles during theoperation of said mameans disposed adjacent one end of said element andin upstanding relation thereto andadapted to lie adjacent the open endof said cylinder when said element is operatively positioned within saidcylinder for preventing articles supported on said partition elementfrom sliding over the end edge thereof from one compartment formedthereby to the other.

' 3. In a machine oi' the character described,

the combination' with a cylinder open at one end l and closed at theother and having radially arranged banles extending axially of saidcylinder and inwardly from the sides'thereof in diametrically opposedrelation, oi' a removable, foraminous partition element dividing theinterior ofsaid cylinder into two, separate compartments for containingarticles during the operation of said machine, said element havingchannel-shaped means adjacent opposite side edges of said element forslidably engaging diametrically opposed vbailles whereby said elementmay be slid into. 0p-

erative position within said cylinder and in cylinder-subdividingrelation thereto, said partition element when so operatively positionedextending from adjacent the closed end oi' saidcylinder substantially tothe opposite, open end thereof, and upstanding means adjacent one end ofsaid element and adapted to lie adjacent the open end of said cylinderwhen said element is operatively positioned thereinfor preventingarticles supported on said partition element from sliding over the` endedge of said element.

4. In a machine of the character described. the combination with acylinder open at one-end and having radially arranged baiiies extendingaxially therealong and inwardly from the sides thereof, of a foraminouspartition element positioned axially of and within said cylinder incylinder-'subdividing relation thereto, said element extendingthroughout the length of said cylinder, and a plate upstanding fromopposite sides of said element and `adjacent an-end thereof and lyingadjacent the open end of said cylinder; said plate being of suilicentheight to prevent articles' supported on said partition element fromsliding over the end edge of said element while allowing free access tothe interior of-the cylinder.

5. In a machine of the character describeda rotatably mounted cylinderopen at one end and having radially arranged bames extending axiallytherealong and inwardly from the sides thereof, means for rotating saidcylinder, and a foraminous position element positioned in axiallyextending relation within said cylinder and incylinder-subdividingrelation thereto, means adjacent one end oi' saidelement and adjacent theopen end of said cylinder for preventingarticles supported on said partition element from vsliding over the endedge of said element, but

said means affording' tree access to the interior oi' said cylinder, andbame means on said partition extending lengthwise of said element and inspaced relation to its side edges for electing a highly exposed anddistributed condition of ar.

- operatively to' position said element within Vsaid cylinder invcylinder-subdividing relation thereto, and means disposed adjacent oneend of said partition element and in upstanding relation thereto andadapted to lie substantially at the open end of said cylinder when saidelement lies in a cylinder-subdividing position for preventing articlessupported on said partition element from sliding over the end edge ofsaid element, but said means affording free access to the interior ofsaid cylinder, `and a plurality of baiiie means on said elementextending lengthwise thereof, one of said baille means being disposed onone sideof said element and another being disposed on the other side ofsaid element.

7. In a laundry machine comprising a casing, a foraminous cylinderrotatably mounted within said casing, means for rotating said cylinder,a plurality of pairs of substantially diametrically opposed baillesextending longitudinally of said cylinder and radially inwardly from'the sides thereof, one pair of said bafiies being of greater radiallength than a second pair thereof and another pair of bailles being ofshorter radial length than said second pair and said baiiles of greaterand shorter radial length being disposed in relatively closercircumferentially spaced relation to each other than to the otherbaffles.

8. In a laundry machine comprising a casing having an opening in the endthereof, a foraminous cylinder rotatably mounted within said casing andhaving an opening in the end thereof disposed in registry with theopening in said casing, means for rotating said cylinder, a plurality ofpairs of substantially diametrically opposed baiiles extendinglongitudinally of said cylinder and radially inwardly from the sidesthereof, a rst pair of said bales extending inwardly beyond the edge ofsaid opening in said cylinder, a partition element for subdividing theinterior of said cylinder into two compartments, said element beingadapted to pass through the opening in said casing into said cylinder,means adjacent opposite side edges of said partition for engaging saidfirst pair of diametrically opposed baiiles to support said partition incylinder-subdividing relationin said cylinder, and a second pair of saidbaffles being shorter than said firstv pair and extending radiallyinwardly ofvsaid cylinder but-short of the edge of the said openingtherein and lying in relatively close but circumferentially spacedrelation to said bafiles engaged by said partition element.

9. A laundry machine comprising a casing having an opening therein, aforaminous cylinder rotatably mounted in said casing and having an ""iof, a first pair of said baffles extending inwardly opening in one endthereof in substantial registration with the opening in said casing,means for rotating said cylinder, a plurality of pairs of substantiallydiametrically opposed baffles po sitioned within'said cylinder andextending axially and radially inwardly from the sides thereof, apartition extending between one of said pairs of baiiles andsubstantially from end to end of said cylinder for dividing the interiorthereof into two, separate compartments, and means on said partitionadjacent the open end of said cylinder and extending transversely ofsaid partition on both ysides thereof for preventing articles supportedon said partition from sliding over the end edge thereof at the open endof said cylinder; one pair of said baiiles lying on opposite sides ofsaid partition and in relatively close relation thereto.

i0. In a laundry machine comprising a casing having an opening therein,a foraminous lcylinder open at one end rotatably mounted within saidcasing, means for rotating said cylinder, a plurality of pairs ofsubstantially diametricaliy opposed baffles extending longitudinally ofsaid cylinder and radially inwardly from the sides thereof, a partitionelement extending across said cylinder and subdividing the interiorthereof into two'compartments, means adjacent one end of said partitionfor preventing articles supported on said partition from sliding overthe end edge of said element at the open end of said cylinder and baillemeans extending lengthwise ofsaid partition andin spaced relation to theside edges thereof; one pair of the baiiles of said cylinder lying onopposite sides of said partition element and in relatively close butcircumferentially spaced relation thereto; whereby said last mentionedbaffles and the lengthwise extending baiiies of said partition areadapted to promote a highly exposed and distributed condition ofarticles within said cylinder as it is rotated.

11. In a laundry machine comprising a casing having an opening in theend thereof, a 'foraminous cylinder rotatably mounted within said casingand having an opening in the end thereof disposed in registry with theopening in said casing, means for rotating said cylinder, a plurality ofpairs of substantially diametrically opposed bailies extendinglongitudinally of said cylinder and radially inwardly from the sidestherebeyond the edge of said opening in said cylinder, a partitionelement for subdividing the interior of said cylinder into two, separatecompartments, said element being adapted to pass through the opening insaid casing into said cylinder, means adjacent opposite side edges ofsaid partition for engaging said first pair of diametrically opposedbaiiles -to support said partition in cylinder-subdividing relation insaid cylinder, and baffle means upstanding from said partition elementand adapted to lie vsubstantially at the open end of said cylinder forpreventing articles supported on said partition element from slidingover the end edge thereof. Y

EDWARD J DOWNES.

